Kenya Now Accuses Ethiopia Of Stealing Part Of Jack Ma’s Donations Meant For Kenya

Appearing before the senate committee probing the COVID-19 scandal, Transport Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Chris Obure pointed an accusing finger at Ethiopia over 21 packages of donations from Chinese billionaire Jack Ma that went missing.

Ethiopia was used as the transit route for East Africa countries given its the CDC HQ in Africa. Kenya received its first batch of the donations from the Chinese philanthropist on 24th March.

Health CS Kagwe then confirmed to journalists that the country had received 25,000 testing kits from Jack. The package from the billionaire’s foundation also included protective gear, mask and medical equipment.

Five months later, the donation by Jack Ma to Kenya is alleged to have been stolen, with a part of the consignment, which was received by KEMSA, said to have been sold to Tanzania and dubious medical supply companies.

Despite Kagwe saying that Kenya received 25,000 testing kits on March 24, which was above what other 53 African nations received each – 20,000 – Transport CAS, Obure, now says Ethiopia shortchanged Kenya while distributing the Jack Ma consignment.

While being grilled by the National Assembly Committee on Health on Thursday, Obure said that 21 packages out of the 697 packages of Jack Ma’s assorted medical supplies weighing 2,000 kilograms, were not delivered to Kenya by Ethiopia.

According to the CAS, Kenya received 671 packages only, which was cleared by the government clearing agent and received by Ministry of Health representative Alice Soita.

The CAS stated that the 671 packages of Jack Ma donation were transported to KEMSA headquarters in three trucks after being cleared at the JKIA.

Obure said some of the protective and medical equipment Kenya received from Jack Ma include: “laboratory kits, screening equipment, gloves, detection kits and other [medical] materials”, collectively weighing over 10,500 kilograms.